KBV Upasika Program 2025
The Buddha's Training for Awakening in Lay Life
Image by Helga Trost from Pixabay
An upasika is one who draws near to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha with a deep commitment to develop sila, samadhi and panna, culminating in awakening.
Over the course of this year, Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda will lead this committed group of practitioners as they train together in the following ways:
Requirements
Application deadline January 19th, 2025
Over the course of this year, Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda will lead this committed group of practitioners as they train together in the following ways:
- Take the 3 refuges and 5 precepts for the year and keep 8 precepts on the full and new moon days as is traditional for the Upasika
- Commit to practice meditation daily
- Meet monthly as a group and have two long-weekend retreats (hybrid and in person), lead by the Ayyas
- Have a Dhamma Buddy within the group to support each other and share experience
- Practice confession with a person of your choice (within or outside the group)
- Study the Buddha's instructions on how to train for awakening as based upon the development of faith, generosity, virtue, learning and wisdom
Requirements
- A strong Dhamma practice (some knowledge of or interest in the suttas, some time on retreats and/or at monasteries, some periods of daily meditation practice, some experience applying the Dhamma in your life)
- Commit to attend all of the meetings on the following Sundays from 9am to 10:45am Pacific Time and to attend the two weekend retreats:
- January 26
- February 23
- March 16
- April 27
- First retreat: May 23-26 (Memorial Day weekend)
- June 22
- July 27
- Second retreat: August 29-September 1 (Labor Day weekend)
- September 28
- October 26
- November 23
- December 21
Application deadline January 19th, 2025